The WNBA set another ratings milestone to commence the 2026 postseason.
The league revealed that the first round drew a record 1.3 million average viewers across all platforms. Viewership jumped 37% from last year on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC.
It may not surprise fans to learn that a series between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever led the way. Game 2 drew 1.42 million average viewers on Prime Video, and the other two cleared 2 million as the round’s most-watched matchups.
WNBA Round 1 Review
Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images.
Although all three games were decided by double-digit points, fans were particularly enthralled by a first-round series between the Fever and Aces.
Indiana’s All-Star trio of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston forced a winner-take-all contest with 75 combined points in a Game 2 win, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone the defending champions. A’ja Wilson was in peak MVP form, averaging 32.0 points and 11.7 boards per game.
The Fever couldn’t pull off an upset, but the New York Liberty sent the bracket into disarray by eliminating the Minnesota Lynx. It’s the first time the No. 1 seed has ever gotten swept out of a first-round WNBA playoff series.
The Liberty set up a second-round showdown with the Atlanta Dream, who won their first playoff series since 2018 by knocking out the Washington Mystics. Newly minted Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese delivered a combined 28 points, 19 rebounds, and four blocks in two lopsided victories.
Fans witnessed the most drama in a thrilling first-round matchup between the Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries. After Golden State cruised to a 104-80 win in Game 1, Dallas forced a Game 3 with an overtime triumph behind a playoff-record 45 points from Arike Ogunbowale.
Ogunbowale scored 30 points in Game 3, but Golden State rallied for a gutsy 77-73 home win. Veronica Burton posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, and Tiffany Hayes added 18 points off the bench.
The WNBA will hope to enjoy more massive second-round ratings on a potential path to an unexpected Finals showdown. Atlanta took the first game over New York, and Golden State defeated Las Vegas on Sunday.
